Submarine net



Aug. 21, 1945. D. A. WALLACE 2,383,095

SUBMARINE NET I Filed May 17, 1943 v2 Sheets-Sheet 1V n c a mam'qfa Z. @E g1' I INVENTOR DAVID A. WALLACE '8 WHW u faz@ v4/M;

A 'l 4TORNEI Y Aug 2l, 1945 D. A. wALLAc 2,383,095

. v SAUBMARINE NET Filed May 17, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L- l INVENVTOR DAVID A; WALLACE BY /m u P@ f2/w" ATTORNEY Patented' Aug. 21, 1.945

David Wallam?,V Detroit, Mich., assgnor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a

` corporation of Delaware Application May 17, 1943, Serial No. 487,225

11 Claims. '(01.114-241i This invention `relates to` an improved` sub-` marine net. A y y Oneof the main objects' of the invention is to provide a net of this character which may be collapsed inaccordion-like `fashion for facilitatingstorage in acompact form, convenience in handling during Vshipment and particularly during laying operations.` l l y l Another object of the invention is the provision of anet of this kind which can be built to desired length from attachable and'detachable sections eachcornprising a `oor'nplete'unitf` A further object of `theinvention is the Drovisionof net sections of this character which can be Wound upon a reel,` as is a hose. in either separate or connected condition and paid olf sel during layingoperations.

A still furtherobject ofthe invention is the provision of means for connecting net sections of this kind together and to a common float line which accommodates separation of each section from the others and, from the float line under the strain applied when a section of the net is engaged by a submarine.

Additional objects of the invention are to prolfrom the reel while the latt"`er is carried by a vvesvide `net sectonswhich` arebuilt up ofrelatively short lengths of flexible materialfsuch `as Wire, arranged in `frame-like units and having eyes on their extremities loosely pivotally connected together by rings which accommodate substantially free weavingl and Working of successively adjacent `portions of the net sections under wave moval of the wrapper and which are released by the action of water thereon in order to guard against complete expansionlof an initially layed section of the net prior to immersion of the entire section. y M

`A still further object of the invention is to provide on a net of` this kind bombs and/or signal devices which are constructed to be exploded or actuated respectively upon contact with a submarine. i

shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 Fig. lis a fragmentary perspective View dia.

trating the manner of attachment of a pair of net sections embodying theinvention. l Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a Wrappednet embodying the invention illustrating the compact condition thereof.

Fig. 7 is an elevational View of the improved net showing the latter accordion-like contracted state preparatory to rolling it to cylindrical form. g y

Fig. Sis a fragmentary elevational view of a ,submarine net embodying a modied form of the invention i i l l Fig. 9l is asectional View of a binding tape element shown'in Fig. 5. l Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view smi-` lar to Fig. 1, but illustratingamodied net laying operation. l y L .i yIn the form of the invention shown in the drawings my improved submarine net comprises a plurality of net sections A and B each of which are .of substantially identical construction. Each net section comprises" a pluralityof horizontally extending rows of wire bars` I 2 and aplurality of vertically extending rows of wire bars I3 located at the junctions ofthe bars I2 of the horizontal rows. The wire bars I2 and I3preferably comprise high carbon steel Wire having a high" tensile strength of the. order of 300,000 pounds `per square inch. These bars are flexibly connected together atltheir adjacent `end portions byrings I4.` `Each end of each bar is attached to a ring I4 in any suitable manner which will permit lim-l ited pivotal andshifting movement of the end of the bar `with respect to thering I4. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the endportion of each wire bar is preferablywrappedtwice about the ring and then several times about the standingfpart of the bar, thus forming a secure connection which is characterized by the required `flexibility.

j Extending along the uppermost horizontal row of bars I2 is a noat line generally designated by thenmneral I5 whichcomprses a rope .or cable An` illustrative embodiment of the inventioniis` the longitudinal extremities of the net sections' A and B are provided with connecting link mem-1 bers which include relatively .shrterwire bars, 20. A wire bar is flexibly connected ,to veach of the rings ofthe row of bars at each longitudinal extremity of the net in the manner described above and illustrated in Eig. L /A ring2l is preferably flexibly connected in a similar manner to the opposite end of each wire bar 2Uf The' rings;V 2 I. i are. detachablyi connected together. `by .an S-shaped parting.- .clip. 22-,which; like. thepar-ting links I.9',.=is.f.adapted. to openwhen subjected ,to af predetermined straiinsin` order ,ftop,ermit separation of` one netmsectionz from another.. Attachedr to the-:outer end of. eachvertically; extending, rowcot-bars I3 is,.a..weight .member 23 which isiadapted :tol cooperate .with the.. float line I.5.'in retaining. theinet. sections suspended.' in water` in a vertically upright position as illustrated.in-Fig.\2. I.

-Netsof the` foregoing construction .mayI be usedftovsuppor-t.-bombs, such` as illustrated .at 24, Whichnpreferably have aA discharging .trigger ring adaptedtol Aexplode .the1bombwhen contacted by :an-objectv such.A as. a, submarine. AIThey bombs urtare 4preferably -suspended....within. selected squares formedby-boundingbarsI2and I3 and insuch i positionvthat 'swinging movement of. the bomb will-not.` bring its trigger into contact with anyoft-he barggum. 1...l W.. Nets of the foregoing construction maycbeused floradi's'f'zharg'ingvk signals such` as va luminous signal flare. 25\which1is adaptedcto float uponthe .surface of the water and to be ignited when afsub.- marina-comes 1 ini contactu with-the.net. s' Ifsthe net is provided with parting clips andA rings 22 andwI 9` respectively-athene upon .a -submarine encountering oney section ot fthetnet,VA that section with 'applicants improved submarme net, the 4iiexibly connected wire bar structure permits a net to be collapsed in accordion-like fashion, as illustrated -in Fig. '7, by pulling adjacent horizontally extending rows of wire bars in respectively Ri'pposite directions. When a net embodying applicantsinyentiorihas been so collapsed, itk. may be l,conv'riently.frcillc''l nt) `.a ,y q'yllindrical condition resembling aI re hose irl both-size and shape. A collapsed and rolled net section may be readily wrapped with a protecting covering 28 as j illustrated in Fig. 5. Each section is preferably individually' Wrapped .so as to leave the wire bar members 2!) withtheir end rings 2l exposed for attachrnntdo corresponding wire bars of the next successive net section. The rings 2| of the adjacent-... endsofmthe sections may be tagged so .as to facilitate convenient coupling of one net will be torn away from the oating line. I5 and from .theaother` nietl sections.. If the-nare signal 25..is\ attached totheioatline bya cable 26. and hasza trigger` mechanism. (not shown).attached to-.the net sectionAfby .alcable .21,.then,.11p on,sep arationoftheznet section fromtheifloat line I5, the; triggertmechanism of the. flare. signal Willbe actuated. -.to .ign-ite. -it.; By. employing. a parting clip. to.l connect one of the cables 2.6 and.21, and. a permanentameans toiconnect .the `other to the netsectionor float;1ine,=.the.signal.can be-caused to-.remain attached, to either 4the .net section. or floatfline,-r as. desired. -Any desired .type of signalling .device 4may ,be used .for this. purpose and if-it is not desired-to have one net sectionbecome separated ifrom .theothersfand from the iloat line .when a submarine engages it, then :theparting links and partingclips 2.0,.may be substituted fon by more. permanentsconnecting,rmeans. It should .be understood 4that .,a ,plurality ,of signalling` deyicesmay.- be carried by. eachnet .section.\and aplurality of bombs may likewise be supportedthereby.www,Y to., mi..

l, `One oflthemain obstacles .encountered insubmarine protectionrby nets `isthe clilliculty,l of storing. ,such netseandi. transporting andi laying them, for they are a cumbersome contraption.

- net sections invro ed condition'.

section to another. The collapsed, rolled and wrapped-.riet@Chiaramente,Conveniently Stored in piles on the deck of a boat and connected .togethenas they are laid inthe 'wat-.erger such 'nIet sentient; marre-i Ceefii 'together .Willi ,the junction therebetween ellsllgtby awraepins?? illustrated. Fia @fr tpllltaliiy .0f @Onettmg met sections, such as illustriatedgain llglh, may ble conveniently Wound upon a drum'll mounted on theflstern.,rof, a, boat from whichthe net may be Conveiiieilu-.laii The.. .wteppicgs ,28 and .2.9

evenifdesired, 'ther/tangas arid. 295111225.' b1? held gin., place2 as: illust ated, in JFiglfy releasable bindif esmembers. eI lyliefh @Qmpiis'es a water soluble tablet -@I,;preferablywforrned eampresseeipdiilfachloride.-Salt tablet is mqvidemwita a minet aretilg ,3:2 ihrog which. 0.11.6 @dei a @0rd @exigido Weighting. clknof'r 41 916,599@ '.@eh expemiy .Ofilhe (.:Qrg 33.2.1 wrapped 1S .held 11i-rolled State by .releasable bieding members reime ,florgoih'g type, the net may be fed freight@ stern rlofja boat, .annotated..mais., 1,10 r'ri'd. ileatd. .its/Jh thefsurfaCe-,Oi the water. After aptflstfmined lengtuoftireaige sali la lets, ,3' ,d'iegltelelsr insita@ wrapping .andieerlmitrin uhrllitg and expansionof @adinet-Sect. .ei-#0a vr'ill/SS- paridad.,l nestorillglder the' Ct'atlits Weight member.. 1r desired, newratings-28 afm 2 9 may be. ,omitted-ail@ the. felaegbidng; mm.' bsrsshgwamercenaire emploie-d @te te@ stances-fit isdesitabletoellew @been mueren follcwnaa-preflte .ined lim@ mlifvalafer the Het.. .haSJQeQn-flem'sitedin @bewertet but fp l'lfol'i it. ftom. expanding .until a f lglfiffm@ @'lhl'fn-y be .accomplished as illustrated in Fi# 8.1155' direieine..av line erinfigafren gli@ ffdtl'i'ri through. .each .vertically yflepb's will flfi-fgl@ and tynethQend-.bhefqf $0- ,gslbfbk which lis, tooglargeulto passdflth oug'lh. ith" .frirgs when-.matan,moetgdisselreet uitge 11,4 aire .released ,..fron'i :.their .4.contracted.. position, shQWn Eig, and thanetisy thus prriiittfed'ltc construction ycomprise wire ofjrelatively `small diameter which: is ilexible and which,` does not present much resistance to the wave action of the sea.` 'I'hey can be brought to any desired length, merely by adding or subtracting the required number ,of net sections. With nets of this construction, the problems encountered in storage,

shipment and laying `operations are greatly simplied and only one vessel is required to deposit the nets in a selected location. Nets of this character may readily be removed from the sea, collapsed` in continuous form or as individual sections, and relaidin` another location after transportation. u .a a Although but several specic embodiments of the `invention are herein shown and described,

it will be apparent `that various changes in the y bars arranged-in polygonal formation, the side of eachpolygon of said formation` comprising an individual wire` bar, means universallyshiftably connecting the ,adjacent extremitiesof the bars of` each polygon together and to the extremities of the bars of adjacent polygons, weight means attached to said net structure along theopposite extremity thereof, and a plurality of parting clips connecting the upper sides of `each section to said upperline member and connecting the lateral sides of said sections together, said parting clips being adapted to open when subjected to a predetermined strainrfor accommodatingiseparation of one or more sections from the others of said net when a` submarinecontacts there with. i j i 2. A 4submarine net includingan upper float line member, a net member suspended from said float line member comprising a plurality of net sections each having a weight membermsecured at its lower extremity, a plurality oflparting clips connecting the upper sides of said netV sections to said `iloatline member and connecting lateral sides oi adjacent sections`together, said parting clips being adaptedto open under `a predetermined strain forY accommodating separation of one or more sections from the` others `.when a submarine contactstherewith,` and a signal" device attached to one of said members having lan actuating cable attached to the other member for exciting said signal device when asection of `said net is soseparated from the remaining sections. 3. A submarinenet section comprising apluralityof longitudinally and 4laterally extending rows of wire bars, one laterally extending row oi bars being disposed at the extremities 'of each` bar of said `longitudinally extending rows, means for flexibly connecting together the adjacent means, for releasablyholding said wrapper ,in place includinga self-releasing member adapted to accommodate(displacement of said wrapper from said net sectiongafter the latter has `been layed. i k f a l 4. A submarine net'section comprising a plurality of longitudinally `and laterally extending rows ofwire` bars, uone laterally extending rowlof bars being disposed at the extremitiesof each bar of said longitudinally extending rows, a float` line` member extending` along .one longitudinal yedge" of said net section and`attached to the latter, a weight memberextending valong the opposite longitudinal edge` of said net section and attached thereto, means for flexibly connecting` `togetherthe adjacent ends of the bars of said longitudinally and laterally extending rows to accommodatecollapsing of` said net section inA accordion-like fashion by relatively displacing adjacent longitudinal rows inv respectively oppo site directions,l said net section when` so collapsed being adapted to be rolled into substantially cylindrical formation, ai removable wrapper for surrounding said net section whenso `rolled in order to protect the same during storage, shipment and laying operations and means for releasably holding'said wrapper in place` comprising a self-releasing water soluble element adapted` to, accommodate displacement of said wrapper `and expansion of saidnet section afterthe latter has been immersed `inwater for` a predetermined period.

5. submarine net section comprising a pluralitytof longitmdinally,` and laterally extending rows of .wire bars, oney laterally extending row of bars being disposed atthe extremities ofV each bar of said longitudinally extending rows, a iicat vline` member extendingfalong one longitudinal a ing Aa plurality of longitudinally and laterally exav ends of the bars of said longitudinally and latedgeof said net section and attached to the lat`- ter, a weight member extending along the oppot site longitudinal edge of said net section and/at tached thereto,nleans` for `flexibly connecting,

togetherthe adjacentends ofthe bars of` said longitudinally and laterally extending rows to accommodate collapsing of said net sectionin accordion-like fashion `by relatively displacing adjacent longitudinal rows in respectively opposite directions, said net section when so collapsed beingadapted to be rolled into substantially cylindrical formation, a removable `wrapper surrounding `said rolled net section for protecting thesame during storage, shipment' and laying operations,` and connecting members on the free extremities of the bars of said longitudinally ex` tending rowsalong one end of saidnet section, said connecting members protruding from said wrapping` for facilitating attachment of each longitudinallyA extending row of bars of said net section to acorresponding row of anothernet section. i

6..A` submarine net comprising a plurality of `longitudinally aligned net sections each includtendingrows `of Vindividual wire bars arranged in end to end alignment, one laterally extending row of bars being disposed at the extremities of each bar of said-longitudinally extending rows, means universally shiftably connecting together adjacent extremities of the individual bars of said longitudinally and laterally extending rows thereof, a oat line member disposed adjacent one longitudinal edge portion of each net section, means including parting clips connecting said latter edgeportion of each section to said float line member, a Weight member attached to the 

